Wish You Were Beer: Seattle’s Unofficial Guide For National Beer Day

A monumental day braided into the detailed fabric of Seattle’s cultural history has finally arrived: National Beer Day. On this glorious day, craft brewers will brew smaller batches, Mariners fan’s will drain savings accounts to afford just one more $9 Bud Light, and the masses will storm Mount Rainer to paint a giant red ‘R’ on the Seattle-facing mountain side. The average American drinks 23 gallons of beer a year – but the average Seattleite... 50 at least. Will you celebrate with a pilsner or an IPA? At a bar or in your living room? The possibilities for all of us to show our support and dedication are endless.

New Brews

Optimism BrewingLast winter, Optimism opened its doors showcasing 16,000 square feet of craft beer-drinking heaven on Capitol Hill. The large community space is intended to be enjoyed with good beer and friends. A rotating schedule of food trucks stop by to serve up all the favorites or patrons can bring take-out or order food for delivery. Check out the food truck schedule here, then stop by to elevate your outlook on life.

Flying Bike BreweryThe first brewery in Washington State established under cooperative principles. Members pay a one-time membership fee and then get an equal share in the brewery and its success. Excess net savings gets distributed to the members based on patronage meaning you can buy-in, drink amazing beer, and get paid. The community feel is driven by specials like $4 pints during member happy hour. National Beer Day is the perfect opportunity to join and try the Lavender Haze IPA.

Players Gonna’ Play

Rhein HaussStep into a wunderland of Bavarian stylings and fierce bocce competition. Courts can be reserved in advanced for a flat $25, but on Friday and Saturday field time is first come first serve. Get the kiełbasa and a liter Fruh Kolsch. Bitte!

Populuxe BrewingHead over to Ballard’s charming backyard patio for yard games and craft beer. On the nice days you’ll find visitors getting riled up over a rousing game of corn hole. In the evening you can wind down at one of the two fire pits and enjoy suds like the Cinderblock CDA (Cascadian Dark Ale or Black IPA).

CocktALES

Bramling CrossEthan Stowell’s Northwest flavored gastropub has some of the best beer cocktails around. The term "bramling cross" literally means dual purpose hops. At Bramling Cross you’ll find that beer is everywhere from the 50 different bottle varieties, to menu items like the beer steamed manila clams. Whether you choose the Ranye West with aperol, lemon, angostura bitters, and Rainier or Bam-Ba-Lam with gin, lemon, habañero, ginger beer, and IPA you’ll be hoppier than yeezus at the VMAs.

Prost!

Queen Anne Beer HallA remodeled warehouse turned Old World biergarten paradise, the Queen Anne Beer Hall is the place to be for authentic European brew and snacks. With a mean brat station, a rowdy crowd during Sounders games, and a slammin’ happy hour, this is a Seattle go-to for brew. Plus they have the blonde Queen Anne Blonde Mary with Monopolowa vodka, yellow tomato juice, pepper, candied bacon, hot sauce, pickled prawn and a crab claw. Yes. Please.

FeierabendIt’s always “quittin’ time” at this popular Seattle pub for beer and spätzle. Enjoy the comforts of hearty, authentic German fare paired with a boot of bier on the bustling outskirts of the Amazon campus. Grab a punch card and begin a journey through German beer, pretzels, and curry ketchup. 75 punch cards later, you will be the proud owner of your own Lederhosen. What are you waiting for?

Pucker up

MolluskMollusk’s brew house, Epic Ales, features a seven-barrel system producing fourteen full-sized kegs with each brew. Epic Ales focuses almost exclusively on brewing farmhouse-style ales, sour beer, and saisons. The flavor of the week rotates, but we recommend the sour – and National Beer Day is the perfect time to try the Partytime!!!, the current Sour Blonde Ale. Grab a pint with dim sum or a growler to go and then take the party to the streets of Seattle.

Black RavenGrowlers, kegs, bottles, and taps – this jewel of the Eastside has it all. Their Corvus Kriekus Wild Sour Ale and 2015 Corvus Frambicus American Raspberry Sour are in the spotlight for Seattle’s National Beer Day festivities and are well worth a trip to the Eastside. Complex and fruity, these sours will leave you feeling sweet, acting tart, and ready for to continue your journey through the flavorful world of Seattle craft beer.

About the author

Lauren is a Seattle native and an aficionado of the charmed life. Classically trained in foodie adventures, she has studied the art of indulgence in places like Portland, Italy, New Orleans, and more. When she isn’t writing about where to treat your palate, she enjoys daydreaming about brunch, making ceviche, and practicing yoga moves in the living room.